This legislation creates the State Workforce Development Board under the Department of Economic Development, which is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for purposes of implementing the state's workforce policy while complying with federal laws. Previously, the Georgia Workforce Investment Board was housed under the Governor's Office of Workforce Development.

This legislation prohibits public officials from using their government supplied email addresses for election or campaign purposes.

This legislation makes it a crime for a county commissioner or development authority director to vote on the purchase of property in which the commissioner or director directly or indirectly owns more than 25% of the property.

This legislation, similar to SB 272, would allow for the creation of townships via local legislation with land use, zoning, subdivision, building permit and code enforcement powers, if the voters first approve a statewide referendum approving a constitutional amendment. Companion resolutions, HR 1051 and SR 724, if passed, will call for the statewide referendum to amend the constitution allowing townships to have zoning powers. Townships could levy up to a .5 mill property tax, annex and transition to cityhood. Though counties would have no say in the above decisions, counties must continue to provide all services and infrastructure to the area as they would any unincorporated area. Counties would have an opportunity to comment on township decisions, but nothing is binding or mediated.

This legislation amends the process for filling a vacancy created on a board of commissioners when one member of the board has been suspended because he or she has been indicted for a felony relating to the performance or activities of their office.  

Under current law, unless otherwise provided in local legislation, the Governor may appoint a member of the board to serve as a temporary replacement for the suspended commissioner.  The board can then select a temporary replacement to fill the suspended member's seat until the suspension is terminated or the suspended member's term expires.  The commissioners must advertise the intention to select a temporary replacement in the county legal organ once per week for two weeks.  

This legislation allows the commissioner selected by the Governor as a temporary replacement or the chief executive officer of the county to undertake a formal and transparent process to nominate up to three qualified persons to serve as a replacement.  If there are no objections from the commissioner selected by the Governor or the chief executive officer of the county, the list of nominees are submitted to the board of commissioners for a formal vote.  If no nominee is selected by the commissioners within 180 days, then the Governor is authorized to select a temporary replacement from the nominee list to fill the suspended member's seat until the suspension is terminated or the term has expired. 

 This legislation transfers authority under the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 from the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs to the Attorney General. 

This legislation clarifies what "campaign material" may not be displayed or distributed at or near polling places.  

It also allows for the reopening of qualifications in city elections under certain circumstances and provides that local legislation by the General Assembly can require candidates for the county commission to reside in their respective districts for up to 12 months prior to their qualifying for election.  

Next, candidates for local office receiving between $2,500.01 and $5,000.00 in campaign contributions must file campaign reports on June 30 and December 31 (formerly June 30 and October 25).

This legislation, similar to HB 785, would allow for the creation of townships via local legislation with land use, zoning, subdivision, building permit and code enforcement powers, if Georgia voters first approve a statewide referendum approving a constitutional amendment. Companion resolutions, SR 724 and HR 1051, if passed, will call for the statewide referendum to amend the constitution allowing townships to have zoning powers. Townships could levy up to a .5 mill property tax, annex and transition to cityhood. Though counties would have no say in the above decisions, counties must continue to provide all services and infrastructure to the area as they would any unincorporated area. Counties would have an opportunity to comment on township decisions, but nothing is binding or mediated.

SB 356 establishes a process for animal control agencies to recover costs for caring for an animal impounded for violation of the Georgia Animal Protection Act. If an animal owner refuses to relinquish custody, counties that are sheltering an animal (e.g., in dog fighting or animal hoarding cases) have the option to charge a bond to the owner to pay the costs of emergency medical care, rehabilitation, food and shelter. For more information, please click here.

This legislation prohibits businesses (as well as their affiliated entities, executive employees, and employees whose compensation is determined by the award of government contracts) from making campaign contributions to state and local elected officials or candidates for offices that are responsible for awarding the contract to the business. 

Specifically, businesses with more than $50,000 per year in contracts with counties, cities, school boards and local authorities may not make contributions to any candidate or campaign committee of an official (or individual seeking office) responsible for awarding contracts. The prohibition lasts for the term of office of an incumbent officeholder or for two years following the expiration/termination of the contract, whichever is longer. Any business that violates this provision three or more times within three years will have all of their contracts with the county and the state voided.

Similarly, businesses (as well as affiliated entities and affiliated individuals) with a total of pending bids and offers over $50,000 to counties (or the total of existing contracts with the state and pending bids and offers to counties is over $50,000) are prohibited from making contributions to any candidate (or their campaign committee) whose office is responsible for awarding the contract for which the bid or offer was submitted.

The county may void a contract with any business that violates either of these provisions related to donations to local officials or candidates within 90 days of the violation.  Any business that violates the prohibition against making contributions to state officials or candidates three or more times within a three year period may not respond to any county invitation to bid or request for proposal.

Any candidate or campaign committee that received a contribution in violation of this law must pay the state the amount of the contribution illegally made.